Ergonomic golf assistance device

ABSTRACT

A golf assistance device including a grip assembly comprising an actuator, a base assembly comprising a plurality of grabber arms and an adjustable tee height stand, an outer shaft coupling the grip assembly to the base assembly, and an inner rod, configured to effect movement of the plurality of grabber arms based on movement of the actuator, wherein the golf assistance device is configured for repositioning golf equipment by a user in an upright posture.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This Non-Provisional Patent Application claims priority to and thebenefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/519,525, filedJun. 14, 2017, and U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/520,933,filed Jun. 16, 2017, the disclosures of which are incorporated herein byreference in their entireties.

BACKGROUND 1. Field

The aspects of the disclosed embodiment generally relate to ergonomictools and, more particularly, to a multi-purpose golf tool.

2. Brief Description of Related Developments

According to the United States Product Safety Commission (USPSC),golf-related back, knee, leg and other mobility limiting relatedinjuries resulting from the normal course of play are a leading type ofhazard in the sport. As bending down to set the ball and tee requiresextreme strength, steadiness and focus, it is often the most physicallydemanding part of a golfer's round. This challenging physical exertionis closely followed by the need to lower the body an additional 4 inchesto pick the ball out of the cup, as well as several other actions thatcause a player to bend.

Current solutions to any sort of mobility issue for golfers are verylimited. A golfer can ask a fellow player to aid him or her in teeing upand retrieving the golf ball, but this is tedious and embarrassing forsome individuals. The few products that exist to aid with this issuegenerally address one of the issues: either teeing the ball up orgrabbing it from the hole, not both. Additionally, these products arealmost universally difficult to use, where reliability and ease of useare crucial.

It would be advantageous for a golf assistance device to assist golferswith actions during a golf round that require bending low to the ground.

SUMMARY

Accordingly, a golf assistance device, intended to address the aboveconcerns would find utility.

An example of the present disclosure eliminates bending over whileplaying a round of golf. The target audience is the compromised (i.e.,injured, elderly, overweight, limited mobility, etc.) golf enthusiastpopulation. However, the effectiveness of the device for reducing oreliminating repetitive stresses (e.g., bending) while playing golf isalso valuable for any recreational golfer. The key aspects of thisdesign are its ease of use, reliability, portability andmulti-functionality.

The device offers several unique features when compared to currentlyavailable technology. For example, the adjustable height stand allowsthe user to tee up at any desired height levels, corresponding to theneeds of the game, allows for consistent tee height every time, which isdifficult to achieve manually, assists in picking up a tee after a shot,or serves as a club stand on, e.g., the green, so extra clubs do notneed to be laid on the ground, requiring them to be picked upthereafter. The stand also retracts fully to allow the claw armatures toreach into the cup at the end of a hole and retrieve the ball. Thesesame armatures are responsible for holding and acquiring both the balland the tee, and provide the support necessary to push them into theground. The device fulfills the role of a bending assistant and itsrobust nature allows it to withstand highly cyclic usage, vital toproduct endurance.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The aspects of the disclosed embodiment herein will be understood andappreciated more fully from the following detailed description taken inconjunction with the drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of exemplary golf assistance device functions,according to aspects of the disclosed embodiment;

FIG. 2 depicts a side view of an exemplary golf assistance device,according to aspects of the disclosed embodiment;

FIG. 3 depicts a perspective view of the device of FIG. 2 showing thebase assembly, according to aspects of the disclosed embodiment;

FIG. 4 depicts a side view of the device of FIG. 2 showing the gripassembly, according to aspects of the disclosed embodiment;

FIG. 5A depicts a schematic illustration of a portion of the device ofFIG. 2, according to aspects of the disclosed embodiment;

FIG. 5B depicts a schematic illustration of a portion of the device ofFIG. 2, according to aspects of the disclosed embodiment;

FIG. 5C depicts a schematic illustration of a portion of the device ofFIG. 2, according to aspects of the disclosed embodiment;

FIG. 5D depicts a schematic illustration of a portion of the device ofFIG. 2, according to aspects of the disclosed embodiment;

FIG. 5E depicts a schematic illustration of a portion of the device ofFIG. 2, according to aspects of the disclosed embodiment;

FIG. 5F depicts a schematic illustration of a portion of the device ofFIG. 2, according to aspects of the disclosed embodiment;

FIG. 5G depicts a schematic illustration of a portion of the device ofFIG. 2, according to aspects of the disclosed embodiment;

FIG. 5H depicts a schematic illustration of a portion of the device ofFIG. 2, according to aspects of the disclosed embodiment;

FIG. 6A depicts a side view of the device of FIG. 2, according toaspects of the disclosed embodiment; and

FIG. 6B further depicts a side view and associated parts list of thedevice of FIG. 2, according to aspects of the disclosed embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The device in accordance with the present disclosure may allow golfersto perform physical actions, such as setting a ball and tee and pickingup a ball and tee, under any conditions that are normally found at agolf course, without having to bend low to the ground.

Although the aspects of the disclosed embodiment will be described withreference to the embodiments shown in the drawings, it should beunderstood that the disclosed embodiment can be embodied in manyalternate forms. In addition, any suitable size, shape or type ofelements or materials could be used.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, the aspects of the present disclosure mayprovide a device for assisting golfers. As will hereinafter be describedmore fully, the golf assistance device 100 performs a number ofmechanical functions and respective information functions, such as,providing a stand to lean unused, extra clubs against. The golfassistance device 100 may include a grip assembly 200, a base assembly300, and an outer shaft 110 coupling the grip assembly 200 to the baseassembly 300.

The tee height stand 310 serves the purpose of leveling the tee andsupporting it being pushed into the ground to the desired height, aninformation function of the user's desired height of tee-off. This maybe accomplished through a combination of a base 310B and plurality oflegs 310L or may be accomplished only with a plurality of legs 310L. Thestand also allows for upright standing of clubs.

The grabber arms 340 are actuated to acquire the ball, hold it in place,accept a tee, hold both ball and tee in place while the tee is beingpushed into the ground, and then release both ball and teesimultaneously upon another actuation. Additionally, the grabber arms340 can be actuated to acquire the ball out of the cup. The actuation ofthe grabber arms 340 is visible even from above and their state of openor close is a visual indicator of whether or not actuation is occurringor whether the ball and tee have been successfully acquired.

Actuation may be accomplished through the use of an actuator 210. Thisactuator 210 may be spring loaded and directly transfers mechanical loadto the grabber arms 340, wherein the resistance encountered at theactuator 210 is a physical feedback indicator of the grabber arms' 340state, either partially opened, partially closed, or fully opened. Thegrabber arms 340 are fully closed in a neutral state such that theactuator 210 does not provide direct positive tactile feedback in thisstate. Visual indications of the grabber arms 340 and tee height stand310 should be sufficient to assure the user that the grabber arms 340are in the neutral state correctly.

As shown in FIG. 3, a base assembly 300 of the golf assistance device100 may comprise a tee height stand 310, an actuation pivot 320, aplurality of actuation levers 330 with a respective plurality of grabberarms 340, and a tripivot 350. The adjustable tee height stand 320 allowsthe user to tee up at several height levels, corresponding to the needsof the game by sliding the tee height stand 320 up or down the outershaft 110 and adjusting a ring 310R, as desired. The tee height stand320 may also retract fully to allow the plurality of grabber arms 340 toreach into the cup at the end of a round and retrieve the ball.Additionally, the tee height stand 320 holds the tool level with theground during the operation of teeing the ball up and centers the toolwhen picking the ball up out of the hole. The tee height stand 320 maycomprise a circular base 310B with a plurality of legs 310L.

The plurality of grabber arms 340 is responsible for holding andacquiring both the ball and the tee, and providing the support necessaryto push them into the ground. A grabber arm 340 may be coupled to theactuation lever 330 and the actuation pivot 320 by a plurality of pins340P, one between each of the grabber arm 340 and actuation lever 330and the grabber arm 340 and actuation pivot 320. This configurationpermits the grabber arm 340 to pivot around the longitudinal axis of therespective pins 340P. Because the individual grabber arms 340 need tohold the ball and put pressure on it from the sides and push itdownwards onto the tee the individual grabber arms 340 may be designedto match the profile of the ball while putting pressure on the top ofthe ball. They may also be made to taper down at the bottom into a sortof point which when retrieving the ball would allow for easy picking andwouldn't become caught in the relief slots cut into the bottom of thegolf cup. The very bottom of the individual grabber arms 340 may be asmall curved cutout that is able to hold a standard golf tee in positionwhen the plurality of grabber arms 340 join together around a golf ball.A piston-like mechanism with a plurality of actuation levers 330, eachof the actuation levers 330 corresponding to a respective grabber arm340, may be employed to push the plurality of grabber arms 340 in andout such that the plurality of grabber arms 340 completely clear theball and tee once the action is complete.

In order to permit ease of use, the width of the base assembly 300should be able to fit around the outside of the cup, so as to standeasily without issue. In some embodiments, however, the tee height stand310 of the base assembly 300 may have a larger circumference to providegreater stability and, therefore, improved tee-up reliability. Thelarger circumference of the tee height stand 310 may also allow the golfassistance device 100 to stand independently upright, therebyeliminating the requirement for a user to bend over to pick up the golfassistance device 100. In these embodiments, the larger circumference ofthe tee height stand 310 may prevent access to the hole by the baseassembly 300.

Referring to FIG. 4, the grip assembly 200 may include an actuator 210,a finger grip 220, and a spring 230. The actuator 210 may be designed topermit one of thumb and palm-grip actuation. In order to actuate thepiston-like mechanism (i.e., effect movement of the plurality of grabberarms 340), the golf assistance device 100 may use an inner rod 120,within the hollow housing of the outer shaft 110, and attached to theactuator 210 in the grip assembly 200. The actuator 210 is pushed up bya spring 230 that is fitted to the inside of the outer shaft 110. Thus,the action of pushing the actuator 210 is a product of weight instead ofhand grip strength, making the product easy to use, ensuring clean teeplacement. A button may be preferable to a lever or handle for theactuator 210 simply because it requires the least parts to build and maybe very cleanly designed and assembled. Furthermore, a finger grip 220may be attached to each side of the outer shaft 110 near where theactuator 210 is located at the top of the golf assistance device 100 inorder for the product to be carried easily and the actuator 210 to bedepressed easily. In one embodiment, the golf assistance device 100 mayinclude a club stand coupled to the outer shaft 110 and being configuredso that unused golf clubs may be leaned and supported against the clubstand.

Operation of the plurality of grabber arms 340 begins with the golferdepressing the actuator 210 against the opposing pressure provided bythe spring 230. This motion pushes the inner rod 120 downward againstthe tripivot 350. Downward motion of the tripivot 350 cause theplurality of actuation levers 330 to pivot outward, thus causing theplurality of grabber arms 340 to pivot outward about the pin 340Linstalled between the respective grabber arm 340 and the actuation pivot320. Once the actuator 210 is released, the components operatesubstantially in reverse to return the plurality of grabber arms to theclosed (i.e., neutral) state.

Most components of the golf assistance device 100 may be constructedfrom substantial rigid and preferably lightweight material, for example,plastic, aluminum or other suitable material in any suitable manner suchas additive manufacturing, 3D printing, extrusion, molding, etc. whichallows the golf assistance device 100 to be quickly prototyped andproven. Some components, such as the inner rod 120, spring 230, and pins340P, may be constructed from steel or other suitable material.

Referring to FIGS. 6A and 6B, further aspects of the embodiment, similarto such as already described, are disclosed.

In accordance with one or more aspects of the disclosed embodiments, agolf assistance device is provided. The device includes a grip assemblyincluding an actuator; a base assembly including a plurality of grabberarms and an adjustable tee height stand; an outer shaft coupling thegrip assembly to the base assembly; and an inner rod, configured toeffect movement of the plurality of grabber arms based on movement ofthe actuator, wherein the golf assistance device is configured forrepositioning golf equipment by a user in an upright posture.

In accordance with one or more aspects of the disclosed embodiments, thegolf assistance device is further configured to function substantiallyas a form of support.

It should be understood that the exemplary embodiment disclosed hereincan be used individually or in any suitable combination thereof. Itshould also be understood that the foregoing description is onlyillustrative of the embodiment. Various alternatives and modificationscan be devised by those skilled in the art without departing from theembodiment. Accordingly, the present embodiment is intended to embraceall such alternatives, modifications and variances.

What is claimed is:
 1. A golf assistance device comprising: a gripassembly comprising an actuator; a base assembly comprising a pluralityof grabber arms and an adjustable tee height stand; an outer shaftcoupling the grip assembly to the base assembly; and an inner rod,configured to effect movement of the plurality of grabber arms based onmovement of the actuator, wherein the golf assistance device isconfigured for repositioning golf equipment by a user in an uprightposture.
 2. The golf assistance device of claim 1, wherein the golfassistance device is configured to function substantially as a form ofsupport.
 3. The golf assistance device of claim 1, wherein the pluralityof grabber arms comprises three or more grabber arms.
 4. The golfassistance device of claim 1, wherein a height of the adjustable teeheight stand is linearly variable.
 5. The golf assistance device ofclaim 1, wherein the plurality of grabber arms are configured retain agolf ball and a golf tee in a predetermined position with respect to oneanother.
 6. A method comprising: providing a grip assembly comprising anactuator; providing a base assembly comprising a plurality of grabberarms and an adjustable tee height stand; and coupling the grip assemblyto the base assembly with an outer shaft, wherein movement of theplurality of grabber arms is effected with an inner rod based onmovement of the actuator so as to reposition golf equipment while a userremains in an upright posture.